Improvement in harness-saddle hooks



UNITED STATES PATENT OE IcE.

JOHN H. MARTIN, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

lMPROVEMENT.-|N HARNESS-SADDLE l-IOOKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 207,973, dated September 10, 1878; application filed August 14, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN H. MARTIN, of Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trace-Carriers, of which the following is a specification:

This invention relates to an improved tracecarrying device specially adapted for use in that class of harness which has no back-strap,

and its object is to provide the harness-pad of such harness on both sides with trace-carriers, with which the trace-cockeyes may be readily engaged when not in use, and from which carriers the trace-cockeyes are not liable to disengagement by jolting.

The invention consists in a hook or catch having its point inclined. to one side and provided with a flat perforated shank at right angles to the hook, which is adapted to be secured to the harness-pad by a terret-screw or other screw, that unites the parts of the pad together, and from which shank projects a tongue, lapping the point of the hook or catch, and inclined in an opposite direction therefrom, the portion of the said hook or catch between the point and shank being gradually broadened from the shank to and including a part of the bend of the hook, and then gradually contracted to the point, whereby broad base is presented for securing and supporting the cockeye of the trace when not in use.

The invention further consists in a harnesspad provided with a trace-carrying hook or catch, which is secured to said pad by having its shank clamped underthe shoulder or head of a terret-screw or other screw, which unites the parts of the pad together, so that the hook or catch will project outward or edgewise from the animal when the harness is in use, the distance in a lateral direction between the hook or catch and the tongue projecting from the shank being sufficient to permit the edgewise passage of the smaller portion of a trace-cockeye, but the lapping of the hook or catch and tongue preventing the cockeye from disengagement when inserted, turned, and allowed to hang freely.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved trace-carrier with a trace-cockeye placed therein, the

same being shown in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a view of the same with a trace-cockeye in position iorengagement therewith. Fig. 3 is a view of the same attached to a harness-pad. Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate the modes of securing the carrier to the pad.

Referring to the drawings, the letterA indicates the hook or catch, having its point a in clined to one side; and B represents the flat shank, at right angles to the hook, having a suitable opening or perforation, b. The diametric plane of this flat shank is at about right angles to the general plane of the hook or catch, and from said shank projects a tongue, 0, which serves as a guard to the displace ment of the cockeye when the same is connected with the hook or catch. The said tongue O extends in the direction of the hook or catch, beyond or lapping its point, and is inclined in a direction opposite the inclination of the hook or catch point to a sufficient distance to permit the passage between it and said point of the neck or small portion of a trace-cockeye, as illustrated in the drawings, the letter D indicating the cockeye, and at its neck or smallest portion.

The customary form of these cockeyes is as shown in the drawings, the metal or rim having the greatest diameter at the outer end of the eye, and gradually contracting toward the shank. The distance between the point of the hook or catch and the tongue should not be sufficient to permit the passage of this larger portion; but even if it were, the lapping of the tongue, which in reality serves as a guard against displacement of the cockeye when connected with the hook, prevents disengagement of the cockeye by jolting, as,when far enough forward to escape the hook or catch, it will be prevented by'the tongue from rising, and when secured in position by a bolt or screw, that unites the parts of the pad together.

It will be observed, from the construction given the trace-carrier hook or catch, that the same can be readily attached to harness-pads now in use by simply having its shank placed under the shoulder of the terret or confined in place by a bolt or screw, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A hook or catch having its point inclined to one side, and provided with a flat perforated shank at right angles to the hook, from which projects a tongue lapping the point of the hook or catch and inclined in an opposite direction therefrom, the portion of the hook or catch between the point and shank being gradnallybroadenedfrom the shank to and including a part of the bend of the hook, and then have hereunto set my hand in the presence of the subscribing witnesses.

JOHN H. MARTIN.

Witnesses:

ALBERT H. Nonms, J AS. A. RUTHERFORD. 

